THE DIAGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE OF IGG COWS MILK PROTEIN ANTIBODIES REEVALUATED

The effect of different feeding regimens, notably the use of hydrolyse d cow's milk formulas, on the development of allergic reactions and th e development of cow's milk protein-IgG antibodies is still disputed. We prospectively compared the development of allergic manifestations a nd cow's milk protein-IgG antibodies in a total of 702 infants who wer e divided into six groups: 1. exclusively breast milk for at least 4 w eeks (n = 206). 2. Breast milk plus initial partially hydrolysed formu la (n = 104). 3. Breast milk plus extensively hydrolysed formula (n = 50). 4. Breast milk plus initial conventional cow's milk formula (n = 73). 5. Conventional cow's milk with or without breast milk throughout (n = 187). 6. Extensively hydrolysed cow's milk formula for 2 months, followed by conventional cow's milk (n = 82). Cow's milk protein anti bodies were determined by an indirect immunofluorescent test. Antibody titres rose slowly in groups 1, 3 and 6. Children in group 5 showed t wo high peaks, There were no significant differences in the frequency and type of allergic manifestations between the groups. Introduction o f cow's milk formula during the first trimenon resulted in elevated an tibody titres in all breast fed infants compared with introduction at a later date, Conclusion: In contrast to a previous study from the sam e laboratory, there is no diagnostic significance of cow's milk protei n-IgG antibodies for allergic manifestations, The occurrence of these antibodies is a physiological phenomenon: the shorter the breast feedi ng period and the earlier cow's milk formula is introduced, the higher the antibody levels.